After standing in a long line that weaved through the center’s parking lot, parents and their children were rewarded by meeting with Santa Claus.

While their children got to sit with Santa and receive a gift bag filled with candy and toys donated by Mattel, parents sneaked off to choose gifts for their children.

An extensive assortment of toys were donated by local businesses, organizations, churches and private citizens. Parents selected a toy to wrap and give to their child on Christmas morning.

Chili’s Restaurant and Trader Joe’s donated the bags for parents to hide their gifts in. Soboba Casino, the Salvation Army and the Redlands Fire Department were just some of the organizations that donated the toys to the center for the event.

One family came in with their two children, who gave the organization their $1,000 in Christmas money in exchange for one toy apiece.

The giveaway, in its 12th year, is about “restoring dignity,” said Pastor Craig Turley, who helps organize the event.

It is as a chance for parents to make sure they have at least one gift to give each of their children on the holiday, he said.

Having Santa available to talk to the children serves not only as a pleasant opportunity for the little ones to visit and receive a small toy on the spot, but also as a way for parents to pick out the gifts without their children seeing, a spokesman said.

The presents varied from board games to books, dolls to dump trucks. All age groups were accounted for, from infants to teens, and wrapping paper was also provided.

Despite waiting in a long line, recipients seemed pleased with how things were run, and the time flew by as children played with each other in the line, participants said.

“It’s well-organized,” said Antoinette Payne, a San Bernardino resident who showed up with several of her children. “I’m grateful.”

The center also plans to provide a Christmas Eve dinner to needy individuals and families, cooked by chef Roberto Argentina from the Farm Artisan Foods in Redlands. Dinner begins at 4 p.m. today at the Blessing Center, 760 E. Stuart St.

The center is accepting volunteers, and serves food several times a week. It also has several programs aimed at assisting the homeless.

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